Medical schools application process in Port Elizabeth can be quite challenging as more and more people are applying. You need to stand out of the crowd.

When applying to medical school, you will find that the admissions process can be rather extensive. Begin by applying to your school of choice in Port Elizabeth as soon as possible. Most medical schools have either two or three application deadlines/rounds.

Medical Schools Application Process in Port Elizabeth

Applying in the first round will increase your chances of admission, because there are more empty spots available. By the time the third round has commenced, many students have already been accepted, which lessens your chances considerably.

Depending on the size and values of the school in Port Elizabeth, admissions criteria can vary from the formulaic and objective to more subjective factors regarding the student’s « fit » for the institution. In general, students are assessed according to the following: GPA, MCAT score, admissions essay, interview, clinical work experience, and volunteering activities, along with research and leadership roles. As undergraduates, students must complete a series of prerequisites, consisting of biology, physics, and chemistry. Many medical schools have additional requirements including calculus, genetics, statistics, biochemistry, English, and/or humanities classes.

GPA
Medical school admissions in Port Elizabeth are competitive, so you need to have a strong GPA. A GPA above 3.5 is preferrable. A GPA below 3.5 can sometimes raise a flag, especially if you attended a school famous for grade-inflation.

MCAT
Your MCAT scores are important in Port Elizabeth. They say little about you as a person, but they are given substantial weight by medical schools. The sections of the MCAT are similar to the required coursework: physical sciences (physics and inorganic chemistry), biological sciences (biology and organic chemistry), verbal, and a writing sample.

Recommendations

Also, in your medical universities application process in Port Elizabeth, recommendation letters are often used. Schools will generally require 2 letters. They should be written by people who know you well, be they professors or your manager at work if you have working experience.

When applying to medical schools in Port Elizabeth, you will be asked to write a personnal statement in which you should convince them of the quality of your application. In other words, why should they pick you instead of another applicant, what skills will you bring to the class, to the school, your life, education, practical experience, special interests… You may have to produce about ~300 words.

If you are successfull through all these steps, you may get to the interview phase. Interview processes depend on the schools. Some will even ask you to interview, independently from the rest of your medical universities application process in Port Elizabeth.

Other Considerations for Medical Schools Application Process in Port Elizabeth

No matter which way you apply, two things that are not required but highly recommended in Port Elizabeth are a campus visit and interview with admissions counselor. Knowledge is power, so be sure to seek out the people and resources that can help you get as much information on your desired medical schools as possible before you apply.